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Jacksonville Beach is a coastal city in Duval County, Florida, situated along the Atlantic Ocean just east of Jacksonville. The city's desirable beachside location drives a competitive rental market, and many residents rent condos, apartments, and single-family homes. Renters here frequently search for answers about rent increases, security deposit returns, lease terminations, and what happens when a landlord refuses to fix a problem.
All tenant protections in Jacksonville Beach come from Florida state law — specifically the Florida Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, Chapter 83, Part II of the Florida Statutes. The City of Jacksonville Beach has not enacted any local tenant ordinances that go beyond state requirements, so understanding state law is essential for every renter in this community.
This page is informational only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws can change and individual circumstances vary — consult a licensed Florida attorney or local legal aid organization if you have a specific housing problem.
Jacksonville Beach has no rent control, and under current Florida law, no Florida city or county can enact rent control of any kind. In 2023, the Florida Legislature passed HB 1431, which explicitly prohibits local governments from adopting, maintaining, or enforcing any ordinance that limits the amount a landlord may charge for rent. This prohibition is codified at Fla. Stat. § 125.0103 (for counties) and Fla. Stat. § 166.021 (for municipalities), and it overrode ballot measures that had been approved by voters in Orange County and other jurisdictions.
In practice, this means your landlord in Jacksonville Beach can raise your rent by any amount at the end of a lease term or, for month-to-month tenants, with 15 days' written notice under Fla. Stat. § 83.57. There is no cap on rent increases, no required justification for a hike, and no local board or agency to appeal to. Renters should budget carefully and review lease renewal terms before signing.
Although Jacksonville Beach has no local tenant ordinances, Florida's Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (Fla. Stat. §§ 83.40–83.682) provides a meaningful floor of protections for all renters in the state.
Habitability & Repairs (Fla. Stat. § 83.51): Landlords must maintain rental units in compliance with applicable building, housing, and health codes, and must keep roofs, windows, screens, floors, plumbing, heating, and electrical systems in good working condition. If your landlord fails to make essential repairs, you must serve a 7-day written notice specifying the problem. If the landlord still does not act, you may have the right to terminate the lease or pursue court remedies under Fla. Stat. § 83.56(1).
Security Deposit Rules (Fla. Stat. § 83.49): Landlords must return your deposit within 15 days if they make no deductions, or send written notice of intended deductions within 30 days. You then have 15 days to object in writing. A landlord who fails to follow this process forfeits the right to retain any portion of the deposit.
Notice Requirements (Fla. Stat. § 83.57): Month-to-month tenancies require at least 15 days' written notice before the end of any monthly period to terminate the tenancy. Week-to-week tenants are entitled to 7 days' notice. These are minimum statutory requirements; your lease may provide for longer notice.
Anti-Retaliation Protection (Fla. Stat. § 83.64): It is unlawful for a landlord to retaliate against you for complaining to a government agency about housing conditions, joining or organizing a tenant association, or exercising any right protected under Florida law. Retaliation includes rent increases, threats of eviction, or any material change in the terms of tenancy. If retaliation occurs within one year of a protected activity, there is a legal presumption in your favor.
Lockout & Utility Shutoff Prohibition (Fla. Stat. § 83.67): Self-help eviction is illegal in Florida. A landlord may not remove your doors or windows, change or add locks, remove your personal property, or intentionally interrupt electricity, water, or other utilities to force you out. Violations entitle you to the greater of three months' rent or actual damages, plus attorney's fees and court costs.
Florida law governs security deposits for all rentals in Jacksonville Beach under Fla. Stat. § 83.49. There is no statutory cap on the amount a landlord may collect as a security deposit — it is set by agreement between landlord and tenant in the lease.
Holding requirements: Landlords must hold your deposit in one of three ways: (1) in a separate non-interest-bearing Florida bank account, (2) in a separate interest-bearing account (in which case you receive 75% of the annualized interest or 5% simple interest annually), or (3) by posting a surety bond for the deposit amount. The landlord must provide written notice of the deposit's location within 30 days of receiving it.
Return deadline: If the landlord makes no deductions, the full deposit must be returned within 15 days after you vacate. If the landlord intends to make deductions, they must send you written notice by certified mail within 30 days itemizing the claimed deductions. You then have 15 days to object in writing.
Penalty for non-compliance: A landlord who fails to give timely written notice of deductions, or who gives notice in bad faith, forfeits the right to retain any portion of the deposit and may be liable for your attorney's fees. If the landlord wrongfully retains funds after proper objection, you can pursue a civil claim for the full deposit amount plus court costs.
Evictions in Jacksonville Beach follow the Florida Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (Fla. Stat. §§ 83.56–83.625) and are handled through Duval County Court.
Step 1 — Written Notice: Before filing for eviction, the landlord must serve you with a written notice. The type and length of notice depends on the reason:
Step 2 — Court Filing: If you do not comply with the notice, the landlord may file an eviction complaint in Duval County Court. You will be served with a summons and have 5 business days to file a written response (answer). Failing to respond may result in a default judgment against you.
Step 3 — Hearing & Judgment: If you contest the eviction, the court schedules a hearing. If the landlord prevails, the court issues a judgment for possession. The clerk issues a Writ of Possession, giving you 24 hours to vacate before the Duval County Sheriff may remove you.
No Just Cause Required: Florida does not require landlords to have a specific reason to end a month-to-month tenancy — proper notice alone is sufficient. However, a landlord cannot evict you in retaliation for exercising your legal rights (Fla. Stat. § 83.64).
Self-Help Eviction is Illegal: A landlord who attempts to force you out by changing locks, removing belongings, or shutting off utilities without a court order violates Fla. Stat. § 83.67 and may owe you three months' rent or actual damages, plus attorney's fees.
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights laws can change, and the application of any law depends on the specific facts of your situation. Nothing on this page creates an attorney-client relationship. If you have a housing problem or legal question, please consult a licensed Florida attorney or contact a qualified legal aid organization in your area. RentCheckMe makes no representations about the accuracy or completeness of this information and encourages you to verify all details with a legal professional or official government source.
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